Combined frame squaring and nailing machine



MalCh 6, l951 s. P. HovEY 2,544,499

COMBINED FRAME SQUARING AND NAILING MACHINE SEL oE/v R Ho l/Ey,

/N VE N TOR.

ATTOp/VEV.

March 6, 1951 s. P. HovEY COMBINED FRAME: SQUARING AND NAILING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June l0, 1950 SELDE/v P. HOI/EK /NVE/v TOR.,

/1 TTORNEK March 6, 1951 s. P. Hovl-:Y 2,544,499

COMBINED FRAME SQUARING AND NAILING MACHINE' Filed June l0, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 SELDE/V P. HOL/EY,

N/ENTOR.

ATTORNEY March 6, 1951 s. P. HovEY 2,544,499

COMBINED FRAME SQUARING AND NAILING MACHINE Filed June 10, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 SE/ DE'N P. HOL/EY,

/Nl/EN TOR.

A TT'ORNEV.

March 6, 1951 s. P. HovEY 2,544,499

COMBINED FRAME SQUARING AND NAILING MACHINE Filed June 10, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 $51. DEN P. Hoven INVENToR.

A T'ORNEV.

Patented Mar. v 6, 1951 COMBINED FRAME SQUARING AND NAILING MACHINE Selden P. Hovey,iHawthorne, Calif.v Application June 10, 1950, Serial No. 167,324

18 Claims.

The machine of my invention is intended `for use in mass production of prefabricated wooden constructional elements, and is particularly de*- signed to provide a machine by which wooden frames, such as window sash, frames for screens, or the like, may be produced rapidly and accurately.

The machine of the invention will be hereinafter described with reference to the production of window sash assembled from precut lengths of sash-forming members which are brought into accurate relationship and nailed together by the machine, but it is to be understood that the machine is not necessarily limited to the manufacture of window sash since it may be adapted to the production of various constructional elements made up from precut members to be accurately assembled and permanently secured in assembled condition by automatically driven fastening means.

In modern wood millwork, window sash are produced in various standard sizes, and considerable saving in time and labor is eiected by producing them in large quantities for builders,

the same being true, of course, for other standard units, such as window easements, and doors and door frames.

It is an object of my invention to provide a machine which is readily adjusted to frames of different proportions which, after initial setting, is operated very simply but will produce a large output of accurately finished frames.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine for squaring up and nailing frames for windows and the like provided with means for initially adjusting the nailing devices to enable frames made to different thickness of lumber to be accurately operated on by the machine.

In modern mill practice, many frames, such as window sash, are formed with morticeand tenon or like joints at the corners. required to fully engage the frames at each corner depends on the area of the interengaged elements forming the joint and, since this area is generally greater at the bottom of the window sash, greater force is required to fully engage the joints at the bottom of the sash. It is another object of the invention accordingly to provide pressure applying means arranged so as to provide greater force at points where it is needed.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a machine which will, rst fully engage the joints at the corners of the frames and ensure that they are accurately squared up and, after The force this operation is completed, will drive nails through each corner joint.

A further object of my invention is to provide automatically operated nailing devices arranged so that nails may be accurately driven into the frames without danger of being driven crookedly or fouled in the nailing device.

Other objects and advantages of the, present invention will be hereinafter apparent from the following description, particularly when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of the machine, a frame, such as a window sash, to be squared up and nailed being indicated by broken lines;l

Figure 2 is a cross-section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the machine with parts broken away to shorten the view;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of time delay mechanism seen in Figure 3, and drawn on a larger scale;

Figure 5 is a cross-section on the line 5-5 of Figure 1, and drawn on a larger scale;

Figure 6 is a cross-section on the line of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a side elevation of one of the power operated nailing devices incorporated in my machine as shown in Figure 3, but drawn on a larger scale;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary elevational View, looking from the right in Figure '7;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the nailing machine shown in Figure '7, looking from the left of that figure; y

Figure 10 is an exploded view of the principal parts of the nail driving device incorporated in my machine;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary detail view, drawn on a larger scale, showing the arrangement of the foot operated valve used to set the machine into operation; Y

Figure 12 is a fragmentary detail View, drawn on an enlarged scale, showing the mortice and tenon connection of the sash members at each corner; and

Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of the pressure cylinders by which the machine is operated, and of the pipe lines leading pressure fluid to the cylinders, and of the valves controlling the flow of pressure fluid to the pipe line.

The machine, referring now to Figures 1 and 3, comprises a horizontal frame having a front transverse member I5 of angle iron and members I6, I6' of I sectionwelded thereto and extending rearwardly therefrom. The frame includes a support element, the legs I8 of which are of a length to raise the frame to a comfortable height from the ground. The rearward ends of the I beams |6 are connected together to provide a rigid rectangular frame by a flat bar I9 to which the I beams are welded or otherwise secured.

Mounted xedly at the left front ofthe frame is a plate 20. At the opposite front end of the frame a plate 2| is mounted for movement to or from plate 2|). Spaced rearwardly of plate 20, a plate 22 is adjustably mountedforlmovement toward and from plate 26, and spaced rearwardly of plate -22, a plate 23 is adjustably-mounted=for movement toward and away from bothtplates 22 and 2|.

The plates 20, 2|, 22, 23 provide supporting'surfaces for the corners of a partially assembled window sash .24 to be nailed in nalassembled condition, and also rsupport lpressure applying and nailingmechanisms to be later described.

The plates are adjusted relatively to lone another to fit the particular size of window sashto v,be handled and, for this purpose, a vfrontjtransverse member 25 of the frame'is formed as aflat .,.barsecured at its ends on the @top 'flange-of I ,beams I6 andl'. .TheplateZI is mountedcna slide -26 movable along .the.bar.25. The'means l.formoving slide26 comprisea lug 21 projecting downwardly from the slide and provided with a Ascrew threaded 'bore in lwhich a screw vthreaded `shaft2|lis engaged. Theeleft-hand endcf. shaft 28 iscarried in a:bearing.29fsecured tothe under- ;sid-e of -member `25, and -a bevel vpinion 30 is mounted on the end of the shaft. -Shaft 2-is fplain at i-tsleft-hand end andfheldagainst axial movement -in bearing 29 by collar v31) of pinion 30 4pinned to'thesshaft'on-one Vside of the bearing, and collar3| `pinnedto the shaft 'on the opposite side of the bearing.

Pinion 30 is -rotated'by 'abevel gear 32 pinned to an adjusting shaft 33rotatab1y mounted atA its forward end in a bracket :34v secured to the underside of member 25 and held against vaxial movement in the bearingby vthe collar of bevel lgear 32 engaging against one side of the bracket and a collar 35 also pinned to shaft33 and'bearing against the opposite side of the bracket. The rear end of the shaft 33 extends through the `bar I9 and is secured -by a ball Vthrust bearing, not shown, and held inplace by a nut threaded onto 'the end of the shaft 33. Shaft 33 is rotated 'by a crank 31 and, as Yshould now be understood, rotation of the shaft will cause adjustment of plates 2| and 23 simultaneously toward plates 20 and.22, movement of plate 23 in this manner be- .ing effected 'by the arrangement later described.

A rectangular bar 38 is secured at its'left-i-hand end by a bolt 38' to the top of plate 2|),v and 4toward its right-hand end is engagediby an Yabutment38a secured to the Ytop of `plate 2|, the abut- .fment sliding along the front face of the bar 38 as plate 2| is moved. Since the bottom member of a lwindow sash is usually bevelled toy prevent :rain beatingthrough the joint between the sash land window sill, va metal bar .39. is provided,

-welded `to a heavy rod which isl pivotally mounted infsmall brackets Secured `to the .inner side of member 38.

Movement of plate 23-simultaneously with plate `2| is secured by the arrangement shown in Fig- -ure'5. It is 'to be noted that plate. 23 is mounted for movement to right or Ileft with plate 2| xand vvto the underside of the slide 42 and provided with a screw threaded bore in which a threaded `shaft44 is engaged. 'Shaft 44, at its opposite end, -is-carried in a bearing 45, referring now again to Figure 1,.secured to the underside of the bar 4I.

A bevel pinion 46 is pinned by its sleeve to the ;shaf.t=44; the-sleeve abutting one side of the bear- .ing-.45 and preventing axial movement of the shaft in one direction .while movement of the shaft in the opposite direction is prevented by a second sleeve 48 pinned to the shaft'and abutting 'the opposite side of bearing 45. 'The bevel gear 46 'is engaged by a bevel gear A49 mounted on. the yshaft 33 and partially 'supported by a bracketvBIl secured to the underside of bar 4I. The sleeve offsaid bevel gear 49 carries an inwardly projecting key 5| engaging in a keyway 52 longitudinally cut in the shaft 33, and thegear 49 is retained in position'on the bracket50 by'rings 53 pinned to the sleeve of the bevel gear 49 on opposite sides of the bracket. Rotation of the shaft 33 will, therefore, cause rotation of the shaft 44, although A"the-bar 4I may be, and ordinarily is, also in move'- ,'menttoward or from the front of the machine `during initial adjustment.

Bar 4I is-secured-forslidingmovement on the Ifbeams I6, `I 6 Vby-ashort'length 'of square bar 55 weldedacross-eachend of the bar, one such weld *being indicated *at 55'. The bar pieces 55 are machined along the inner upper edges, as indicated'at 55a, to conform to the contour of the outer flange ofthe I beams I6, I6 and veach is -drilled with a passage, the wall of which is 'furnished with a vscrew thread.

A rpair of screw threaded shafts 56, 51 are vmounted at their forward ends in brackets 58, 59 secured to the underside of the at bar 25 at the front of the machine, and bevel pinions 6D, 6I

are mounted lon the front ends of the shafts. The vshafts 56, 51 are held lagainst axial movement relative to the brackets by Vmeans similar 'to those previously described for shaft 28. The rear ends of the shafts 56, 51 are 'passed through openings formed in the bar I9 and are supported by thrust bearings, not shown; the shafts being held against withdrawing movement by nuts 62 and 63 'threaded onto the shaft ends respectively. Shafts 56 and 51 are simultaneously'rotated'by Vmeans ofan adjusting cross shaft 64 supported-in `the'bearings 65.and ,66 mounted on the. I beams I6 'and -I6' and carrying at oppositeends'thereof .bevel pinions 61 and 68 meshing with pinions `(ill and 6|, respectively. .A crank `59 may be mounted on the forward end of shaft 56 for rotating the same.

When shaft 56 Aisrotated by the crank 69, the shaft 5-1 will obviously be rotated similarly and in unison therewith. In order to provide an abutment for one side of the window sash, a vsquare section edge bar 1|] is connected at .its front end by a bolt 1I to the top surface of the stationary plate 20 and is held against outward movement about the bolt 1I by a threaded stud 12 working in an upstanding lug 13 secured at the outer .edge vof. the plate 22.l

Nailing devices 14, 15, 16 and 11 are mounted on the plates 20, 2|, 22 and 23, respectively, the device 14 mounted on plate 20 being fixed in position, but each of the other nailing devices being mounted for sliding movement on the plates.

The mounting arrangement of the nailing devices 16 and 1'| is identical so that the description given in respect to the device i6 applies also to device 11. The devices are mounted on short lengths of undercut bar "a8, 18 secured to the tcp of plates on which the devices are mounted, as shown in Figures '7 and 9. Slide members 19 and 19' form a base for the nailing devices and are machined to interiit with the undercut bars which form guides for the slides. The front end 19a of the slide forms a pressure applying surface which is caused to exert `pressure against the -edge of the window sash to be squared up and secured together.

Slides 'i9 and 13' are provided with laterally projecting ears 10b, 19e to which are pivoted the rods of pistons 30 and 30 of double-acting pneumatic cylinders 8| and 8| which are pivotally secured at their rear ends to abutments 82 and 82 secured to the rear edge of plates 22 and 23.

The nailing device 15 is mounted on a slide 83 mounted on a guide similarly arranged to guides 13 but since the pressure required to be exerted is greater than at the upper corners of the window sash, a relatively7 large compressed Aair cylinder d4 is provided to supply the additional force required. This cylinder is secured at its rear end to a brackett projecting laterally from plate 2|, and the rod of a piston 35 mounted within this cylinder is pivoted te the longer .arm 81 of a lever 3d pivoted at d0 to a block se cured to the top of plate 27|, the shorter arm 50 of the lever bearing against a roller 9| mounted 4on a pin 92 projecting upwardly from the body of the slide mounted on the guide 83. In the opposite direction of movement of the arm 95 it engages a small roller 9| and, as will be seen, this retracts the clamping member.

The nailing device lll is mounted generally as described for devices i5 and 11 but since it is not required to move longitudinally, the slide member on which the nailing device 14 is mounted is secured to the track member.

A clam-ping member 93, not provided with a nailing device, is arranged on a lateral extension 23' of plate 23, the device being arranged to apply pressure against the side of the top of the window sash. Clamping member 93 is best shown in Figure 5. lmember 93 is mounted on a guide 04 similar in arrangement to the similar parts of the movable clamping elements 1S and 11 previously described..

It will be noted that the clamping Since greater force is required to be exerted by the clamping member S3 than is required of the clamps of devices 'F5 and l1, a double-acting air cylinder 525, pivoted at its rear end to a block 9B secured to plate extension 23', is provided to `move the clamp through a lever 91 pivoted ad- K to theunderside of extension H6.

from bar H4.

to Figure 13, are connected between pipe |03 and |04 which serve alternately as pressure and exhaust lines, depending upon the position of a four-way valve |05 operated, as best shown in Figure 11, by a foot pedal |06 through a rod |00' and arm |06a biased toward closed position by a spring |06b.

The line |03 is connected to the front end of cylinders 84 and 95 and to the back end of cylinders 8 I and 8 I. The pipe line |04 is connected to thel back end of cylinders 84 and 95 and to the front ends of cylinders 8| and 8|'.

An additiontal double-acting cylinder |01 is connected across pipe lines |03 and |04, line |03 being connected to the front end of cylinder |01, and line |04 being connected to the backend of the cylinder, this cylinder operating a valve controlling the nailing devices.

An adjustable reducing or needle valve |08 is connected in pipe line |93 ahead of cylinder |01 and is adjusted by a thumbwheel |09. The effect ofthe needle valve is to cause piston ||0 to retract more slowly than the operative movement of the pistons of the cylinders applying pressure to square up the elements of the window sash. After a sufcient interval to enable this opera-y tion to be completed, the piston ||0 Will close the switch of a solenoid operated valve ||2 and admit compressed air to the cylinders operating the nailing devices, as will be later described.

The arrangement provided to secure the necessary delay in operation of the solenoid operated valve 2 is shown in detail in Figure 4. The parts of the delay device are mounted 0n a panel ||3 and may be secured in any convenient manner to the table supporting the machine. This device comprises a bar |4 guided for straight line movemerit by a guide bracket l5 secured to panel I3. The piston |||1 is connected to one end of the bar Vso that this bar is moved with the piston 0.

The bar ||4 is provided with a hinged extension ||6 normally held down toward panel ||3 by a small spring ||1 compressed between a bracket 8 secured'to bar |4 and the outer surface of the extension H6. A catcher ||9 in the form of a small rectangular plate |20 is secured Plate |20 is provided with a bevelled portion |20a at its rear vertical face and with a bevelled portion |201) at its front vertical face.

The vertical portion of the rear face of the plate |20 is adapted to engage with a small flat bar |2| projecting laterally from a bar |22 extending parallel with bar ||4 and guided for straight line movement by the bracket ||5a.

The rear vertical edge of bar |2| is provided with a bevelled portion |2I. A small block |23 is mountedv in the path of movement of the plate |20, the forward edge |230, of the block being bevelled so that the bevelled edge |20a of plate |20 rides up on block |23 which is higher than bar |2| so that plate |20 is released from bar |2| at that time and bar |22 is therefore released The switch controlling the valve causing operation of the nailing devices is mounted on the panel |3 in the path of a spring mounted switch operating plunger |24 carried in bracket 24 mounted on bar |22. The spring |25 engages a head on the plunger and holds the lat- -ter projecting toward the switch and has sumrcient resistance to operate the switch when the plunger is moved against it, but enables the plunger to yieldon continued excess movement of the bar |22 so as to avoid damage to the switch.

7V Asili-ing 1:25a is coiled,.aro-und bar |22 and .held under compression between bracket-l |5b and a pin |26 secured in the bar, the spring yieldably resisting displacement of the bar |22 by bar ||4.

Theeifect of the arrangement described is that as piston! isslowly retracted, bar I I4 willfmove bar |22 back suiiciently to operate switch I and will then release bar |22 wh-ich will return to its initial position, but bar I |4 will remain retracted until theoperator releases the foot pedal |06, `whereupon spring |0612' will return. the foot pedal to a raised position which will rotate the valve 'F05 to bring the .passages of the valvek body into the dotted line -position shown in Figure 13, thus reversingl the flow ofcompressed air-to the cylinders-and returning their pistons to the initial position. Onpiston rod |f|0 pushing rod |.|4.for ward, the bevelled face |=2-0b of catcher |-|9 will ride' over the Vbevelled portion |2| of the bar |2I so that the catcher will be in position to again catch barV |2| on the next rearward movementof the piston rod H0'.

The nailing devices mounted on the clamping slides 19, 19", and 83, as wellV as the device xedly mounted on plate 20, are identical in construction andare best shown in Figures 9 and 10. Thebody |f2-1 of the nailer is secured to the slide 19 by threaded studs |218 extending vertically through the body of the nailer, the heads of the studs being received in counterbores so that the top of the body is flat. The opposite sides of the -body are slotted longitudinally, as shown at |29, to Vreceive series of nails |V connected together at their heads in such a way that-eachnail may be readilysheared -from the next. The manner 1in which the series of connected .nails fit in the -grooves or slots inthe -body is clearly shown in Figure .10. Side plates I3| and |32 are secured to the sides of the body by threaded studs .|33

screwed into the body. A nail follower formed Y' of two separate channel-shaped stri-ps |34 and |35 are Afitted behind the nails |30 in the slots `|29 and are urged forward by coil tension springs `|36 `and |31, having their rear ends hooked over studs |38 and |39 screwed into the rear ends of `the followers, and their front ends secured to threaded studs |40 and |4| screwed in the sides of the body toward the front thereof.

The body |21 has an upwardly extending end portion |42 which is machined out, together with the thickness of corresponding upwardly extending, forward ends |3-I and '|32' vto provide Working space for a crosshead |43 which is fitted in saidv space, as shown in Figure 8, with an easy sliding tand secured therein by a coverplate |44 secured to the front edges of the side plates I3| Vand |32 by some conventionalmeans, such asmachine screws. Shearing blades |45 and |146 are yset Yinto the bottom edge of the crosshead inan'y suitable way and are guided in slots |41, m'achined in a'coverplate |48`also fixed to the Vlfront .edges of the sideplates by machine screw |49.

The shearing blades are, of course, aligned with the nail slots machined in the sides of the body so that when the crosshead is forced downwardly, the shear blades bearing on the headsof the end nailsof each-series will shear them off and Aforce theminto the corner of the window 'sash through the. mortice and tenon joint between the sash members. It should be noted that the bottom face of the `nailer ts closely against the Window sash and as the nails are under the constraint of the slots |41, there isno-tendency for the nails to be driven in crookedly.

.In order to adjust the height of the lower face of the nailer to different thickness of window sash, two threaded studs |50 and |5| aremounted in bores-in the body of. the nailer at the forward end thereof.. Stud |50 bears against the 'top surface of the slider 19 and the bore in which it Ais positioned is threaded, while stud |5| is engaged in a threaded bore in the slider 19 but the bore of the body |21 in which it is positioned is .not threaded. screwing stud |50 downwardly as stud I 5| is retracted will raise the front end of the nailer body, while reversing the process will lower the front end of the body. It is, of course, necessary to leave a slight amount of play between the head of stud |28 and the bottom of the counterbore in which it is positioned as, for instance, by positioning a spring washer between the head and the bottom of the counterbore.

The crosshead |43 is reciprocally operated, referring again to Figure '7, by a bell crank lever |52 having biiurcated ends |53 and |53 and pivoted to the upstanding head of the nailer by a. pin |54, positioned in a hole drilled through the side plates and body. The forward end of the lever is pivotally connected to the lower ends of a pair of links |55 and |53 by means of studs |51 and |58. 'Ihe upper ends of the links are pivoted on a pin 59 tting snugly in a hole |60 drilled through the width of the crosshead. Spacing washers |6| are used to keep the upper ends of the links |55 and |55 properly located on the pin |59, and these links are held against separation from the pin |59 by cotter pins or other suitable elements beingl used as may be preferred, cott'er `pins |62 being shown in Figure 8.

The opposite bifurcated end |53 of the bell crank lever is pivotally secured to the piston rod |63 of a double-acting compressed air cylinder |64 by a pin |65. The cylinder |64 is mounted pivotally at its rear on a bolt |66 passed through a hole drilled through the upstanding ears |61 of a bracket |58 fixed to the nailer body and a hole drilled in a lug |59 projecting from the rear end of the cylinder and mounted between said ears.

The piston of the cylinder |64 is operated by air led to the opposite ends of the cylinder through flexible hose members |10 and |1|. The manner in which this cylinder and piston will, through the bell crank lever |52, reciprocally move the crosshead is believed obvious and will not now be enlarged upon.

Assuming cylinder |64 to indicate the air cylinder of nailer 14; |12 to indicate the air cylinder of nailing device 16; |13 to indicate the cylinder of nailing device 11; and |14 to indicate the cylinder of nailing device 15, it will be noted that all of the cylinders are connected across pipe lines |15 and |16, line |15 being connected'by lengths of exible air hose similar to hose |10 to the Vrear ends of the cylinders, and line |16 being connected by lengths of ilexble air hose similar 'to |1| to thefront end of the cylinders.

It will be seen that the compressed air lines for the nailing devices are separate from that operating the clamping means, this compressed air circuit being controlled by the four-way valve |I2 operated automatically by the solenoid |.|2'.

.A's long as the circuit controlled by the switch is de-energized the solenoid |2 will hold the valve in the position shown in solid lines in Figure 13 but once the switch is moved to its closed circuit position, the solenoid will move the valve to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 13.

VIn thea-position of valve |'|.2 shown insolid lines in Figure 13 the solenoid is not energized for the cylinder |01 and piston ||0 have not Vyet closed switch and the pistons of the nailing devices are in retracted position, pipe line |15 being connected to the exhaust and pipe line |16 supplying compressed air to the front end vof the cylinders. Levers |52 will, therefore, hold the crossheads |43 raised. When the switch is closed to energize the solenoid ||2, the valve ||2 will be rotated into the dotted line position by the solenoid H2 and compressed air will then be supplied through line |15 to the lower ends of the cylinders, the outward movement of the pistons thereof rocking the bell crank lever |52 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 7, to move the crossheads downwardly, thus driving home a pair of nails at each corner of the sash. As soon as the coil of the solenoid ||2 is de-energized the valve is returned to its, normal position by a spring, not shown, but forming a part of the solenoid and normally tending to hold the plunger of the solenoid in the position shown in Figure 13.

After the machine frame has been initially adjusted to the length, width, and thickness of the window sash by operation of the handles 31 and 69 and adjustment of the nailers, the edge bar 10 is checked to ensure that it is accurately at right angles to bar 38 so that the window sash will be properly squared up by the operation of the pressure applying devices. When in full production, two men are located alongside the machine by whom the lengths of material, which have been machine cut and morticed and tenoned are loosely assembled into sashes and stacked for the machine operator to work on.

The operator positions a sash with the bottom rail against the bar 38 and a side against bar 1U, the sash resting at its corners on plates 20, 2|, 23, and 24, and then depresses pedal |96 and keeps it depressed, which will cause all the slides to bear against the sash close to the corners and ensure full engagement of the mortice and tenon joints at the corners of the sash, pistons 86 and |00 moving slightly more slowly than pistons 80 and because of the greater resistance to be overcome. Just after the movement of the pistons ceases, the nailers will be simultaneously operated whereupon the operator releases the foot pedal, thereby causing al1 parts of the machine to be returned to initial position.

It will be seen that the machine is very simple to operat-e and it has been found possible to turn out more than two hundred and iifty average size window sashes per hour which, to Ythe best of my knowledge, is a much greater output than has been obtainable heretofore.

While I have specifically described and illustrated an embodiment of my invention at present deemed preferable by me, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications of parts may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A squaring and nailing machine for frames and the like, comprising: means for supporting a partially assembled frame on said machine; squaring means mounted on said -supporting means and adapted to be brought into engagement with the elements of said partially assembled frame; means for relatively 4moving said squaring means to bring the latter into pressural engagement with all elements of said partially assembled frame to pressurally urge the same into ilnal'assembled form; nail inserting devices l0 carried by at least some of said squaring means and movable therewith into positions adjacent the corners of said nally assembled frame; means for simultaneously actuating said moving means to bring said squaring means into pressural engagement with said frame elements to square the same; means for simultaneosly actuating said nail inserting devices; control means, including a single operator means, for rendering operative both of said actuating means; and means operative to delay operation of said actuating means for said nail inserting means an interval of time suicient for said moving means to bring said squaring means into pressural engagement with said partially assembled frame to urge the same into nal assembled form.

2. A squaring and nailing machine for frames and the like, comprising: means for supporting a partially assembled frame on said machine; means mounted to said supporting means and adapted to square the saine when relatively moved into engagement with the elements of said partially assembled frame; means for relativ-ely moving said squaring means to bring the latter into pressural engagement with all elements of said partially assembled frame to pressurally urge the same into final assembled form; nail inserting devices carried by at least some of said squaring means and movable therewith into positions adjacent the corners of said finally assembled frame; means for simultaneously actuating said moving means to bring said squaring means into pressural engagement with said frame elements to square the same; means for simutaneously actuating said nail inserting devices; control means common to both actuating means; and means rendered operative by operation of said common control means for rendering inoperative the actuating means for said nail inserting devices for a predetermined interval of time whereby said moving means moves said squaring means into pressural engagement with said partially assembled frame and pressurally urges the same into iinal assembled form during said predetermined interval of time 3. A squaring and nailing machine for frames and the like, comprising: means for supporting a partially assembled frame on said machine; relatively movable squaring means mounted on said supporting means; means for relatively moving said squaring means to bring the latter into pressural engagement with all elements of said partially assembled frame to pressurally urge the same into iinal assembled form; nail inserting devices carried by at least some of said squaring means and movable therewith into positions adjacent the corners of said finally assembled frame; common control means for actuating said moving means to bring said squaring means into pressural engagement with said frame elements to square the same and to actuate said nail inserting devices; and means for delaying operation of said nail inserting means a predetermined length of time following operation of said control means, whereby said squaring means are brought into pressural engagement with said partially assembled frame to square the same before said nail inserting means are operated to insert nails at the corners of said squared frame.

4. A squaring and nailing machine for frames and the like, comprising: means for supporting a partially assembled frame on said machine; squaring means mounted on said supporting means; means for relatively moving said squaring means to bring the latter into pressural enthe frame on the machine; Ipressure applying 'gagement with all `elements wo'f "said partially as- Ysembled frame `topressurally urge the same mto final assembled form; 'nail insertingdevices carried-by at leastA some lof said'squaring means and movable therewith into positions Vsuperimposed Vrelative to the Acornersof said *finally assembled frame; and control means for actuating said Amoving means to bring said squaring means into fpressural engagement with said iframe :elements 'to-square the same, including means made opera- "tiVe after a predetermined time interval following engagement ofsaid -squaring means with vthe elements of said frame to actuate said nail iinserting devices.

5. Asquaringand nailing machine for frames and the -like, comprising: fmeans 'for supporting :a

k'partially assembled frame; a .rst abutment mounted on said means and 'adapted to'position one-side of the frame; 'a second'abutmentmount- Ied-ons'a'id support means Yfand adapted'to position-a second side of the frame-at right angles to the side positioned bythe firstr'abutment; `pressure -applying means mounted on said support means and arranged for movement against the -remaining sidesof *theframe to -pressurally 'urge the same into final assembledform; Ameanseifec- 'tive Vto operate all of -said -pressure applying meansl at the same time; nailing devicesfarranged to'operate on fthe corners of the iframe; means effective to actuate said nailing devices in unison; and-a single member effective to `control both the means operating -said Apressure applying means and the means lactuatingvthe nailing dev1ces.

6. Asquaringandnailingmachine for frames and the like, comprising: -a machine frame having a'front transverse member and'spaced members extending rearward from AVsaid fro'nt transverse -member and rigidly secured thereto; aiirs't bar fsecured at its-front -end'to i:the 1'front of "the `mameans mounted-on the machine frame and-ar- 'ranged .for movement against "the remaining vsides of the frame; means-effective tofsimultaneously operate allof said pressurefapplyinglmeans; nailing devices arrangedto operate-on theeorners of the frame; means *effective to actuate Jsaid nailing dev-icesin unison; and/a single vr.member effective tocontrol boththeimeans operatingsaid pressure applying-means-andthe means actuating the nailing devices.

'7. A squaring and'nailingfmachine for Iframes and the like, comprising: a front, -transverse frame member and spaced frame 'members extending rearward from, and-rigidly Esecured to, said front transverse member; a second transverse frame member slidably mounted fon the rearwardly extending frame members; `a first :plate immovably secured'to'the'machine frame at the junction of Vthe 'front .transverse member anda rearwardly extending "frame member; a second plate immovably'secured on one en'dY off' the second transverse member and 4aligned with said rst plate; a third plate slidably mounted onlthe -second transverse member on the end opposite the second plate; afourth plate `slidably mounted 'I -on the front transverse -member'at the 'end -op- 'posite 'said rst spiate; means effective to 'adjust 'said Isecond itransverse frame Amember toward 'and away Vffrom fthe V'front Atransverse member; means effective to slide the ltliird `and "fourth plates ytogether toward the second land yfirst plates; pressurelapplying meansmounted onrthe second, third'andffourt'hplates; nailing devices mounted-on all of Kthe plates; means #effective to -forceallof saidlpressure applying means-'at the Vsame-time -against the -sides of the frame; `and fmeansfeiectivefto operate said nailing devices a `-predetermined 4'tirneiin'terval following movement rof said pressure applying means 'into engagemerit Witlrthe ls'ides of said fframe.

i8. v'll-squarin'g and `nailing 'machine for-.window fra'mes and theflilne,v comprising: fa firent, transf- Lverse "framemember"and-spaced frame members extending crearward Jfro'm and Ir'ig'idly secured 5to, -sai'd f-'front transverse member; a -second Avtrans- :verse iframe fmember :slidably mounted :on ithe rearwardly `extending iframe members; vva first plate `imrm'iva'bly :secured ito Athe :machine frame at the junction 4ofthe lfront vtransverse member :land a rearwardly extending :iframe member; :a .secondv'plate .immovably secured 4on one "end -o'f fthe second transverse .member and aligned with :saidiirst plate a :third plateslidablyfmounted Y on ,the :second 'I-transverse member y,on the end opposite the .second plate; .fa fourth :plate slidably .mounted on ithe front 'transverse member 1 at the fend opposite-said .first f-plate; means effective Lto :adjust :said second 'transverse iframe jmember ;towardfandfawayifromthefront'transversemember; means effectivetofslidethethird andfourth plates #together A'toward .the -second 'and rst plates; fa straight bar movably Ysecured l.to the surface of lsaid first plate;and,=retained in tposi- *tion by `an -adj ustable i abutment -mounted on vthe second plate andzslidablyngaging said bar dur- ;ing;movementofisaidasecond plate, saidibar being effective to xposition ;one :side -of fthe Window frame; La secondi'straight -bar secured at :one 4fend tothe surface of said first :plate and retainedin position vby Fan; abutment: mounted on the ffourth plate land -slidably engaging said bar .during ymovement, -of thegplate; :pressure applying :means .mountedf on :the second, .third .andfourth aplates; nailing devices :mounted on :all cof the plates; means effective toforce all v5f-:said pressure applying :means at-the same Vtimelagainst .the sides of .the frame; v and 'means effective to foperate said nailing devices.

.9. LA -machine `as 'set 'forth in `claim 8 and :.in vaddition comprising afnat bar' pivotedfaboutits longitudinal axisitoatheinnenfacelof saidrsecond :straight bar to :accommodate a Vb evelled :frame member :positioned :thereagainst l 10. Assquaringrand nailing maehi-neffor frame fand the like, comprising: :a `front transverse iframe member Vand spaced iframe members extending. rearward from, and zrrigidly secured to, said front transverse member; asfsecond :transverse frame member slidably mounted `Ion the .rearwardly extending iframe members; ra first plate -immovably secured Yto sthe -zmachine zframe .at the junction of `Athe ffrontgtransverse:member and a rearwardly extending frame :mem-ber; za

second plate 4immovably fvsecured :on ;one end fof the :second i' transverse i member tand ,f'aligned--with said flirst :,plate; a third :plate vslidably zmounted f on= theI second 'itransverse'memberzfon the -en'dfop- :.endfopposite isaidzrst Irplate; imeans: effective tto adjust said second transverse frame member toward and away from the front transverse member; a pair of downwardly extending projections secured to the underside of said second `transverse member and each provided with a hole having a screw thread formed in the walls thereof; a pair of screw threaded shafts mounted in bearings carried on the machine frame and held against axial movement therein, said shafts being engagedin the threaded holes; means for rotating one of said shafts; an adjusting shaft and bevel gears thereon engaging bevel gears on said pair of shafts for rotating the shafts in unison; means effective to slide the third and fourth plates together toward the second and first plates; pressure applying means mounted on the second, third and fourth plates; nailing devices mounted on all of the plates; means effective to force all of said pressure applying means at the same time against the sides of the frame; and means effective to operate said nailing devices.

11. A squaring and nailing machine for frames and the like, comprising: a front transverse frame member and spaced frame members extending rearward from, and rigidly secured to, said front transverse member; a secondtransverse frame member slidably mounted on the rearwardly extending frame members; a rst plate immovably secured to the machine frame at the junction of the front transverse member and a rearwardly extending frame member; a second vplate immovably secured on one end of the second transverse member and aligned with said first plate; a third plate slidably mounted on the second transverse member on the end opposite the second plate; a fourth plate slidably mounted on the front transverse member at the end opposite said first plate; means effective to adjust said second transverse frame member toward and away from the front transverse member; a pair of downwardly extending projections secured to the underside of said second transverse member and each provided with a hole having a screw thread formed in the walls thereof; a pair of screw threaded shafts mounted in bearings carried on the machine frame and held against axial movement therein,

Vsaid shafts being engaged in the threaded holes;

means for rotating one of said shafts; an adjusting shaft and bevel gearsthereon engaging bevel gears on said pair of shafts for rotating the shafts in unison; slides securing the second and third plates for sliding movement on the transverse members; a downwardly extending projection secured to each slide and each provided with a hole havinga screw thread formed in the wall thereof; rotatable screw threaded shafts mounted on the underside of said transverse frame members and engaging in said threaded holes. said shafts having bevel gears mounted thereon; a rotatable adjusing shaft mounted in the machine frame and held against axial movement and provided with a bevel drive to thev shaft engaging the projection on the slide of the fourth plate; a bevel gear having a slidable driving connection with the adjusting shaft; a bracket 14r plying means at the same time against the sides of the frame; and means effective to operate said nailing devices.

12. A squaring and nailing machine for frames and the like, comprising: a front, transverse `frame member and spaced frame members extending rearward from, and rigidly secured to, said front transverse member; a second transverse frame member slidably mounted on the rearwardly extending frame members; a first plate immovably secured to the machine frame at the junction of the front transverse member and a rearwardly extending frame member; a second plate immovably secured on one end of the second transverse member and aligned with said first plate; a third plate slidably mounted on the second transverse member on the end opposite the second plate; a fourth plate slidably mounted on the front transverse member at the end opposite said first plate; means effective to adjust said second transverse frame member toward and away from the front transverse member; means effective to slide the third and fourth plates together toward the second and rst plates; pressure applying means mounted on the second and fourth plates and exerting forces directed toward the first plate; abutment means on the rst plate to prevent movement of the portion of a frame located thereon under said forces: a pair of pressure applying means positioned on the third plate, one of said means exerting force toward the second plate and the other exerting force directed toward the fourth plate; nailing devices located above the abutment on the rst plate, above the force applying means located on the second and fourth plates and above one of the pressure applying means located on the third plate, the nailing devices operating to drive nails into the frame adjacent the force applying means; means effective to force all of said pressure applying means at the same time against the sides of the frame; and means effective to operate said nailing devices.

13. A squaring and nailing machine for frames and the like, comprising: a front, transverse frame member and spaced frame members extending rearward from, and rigidly secured to, said front transverse member; a second transverse frame member slidably mounted on the rearwardly extending frame members; a rst plate immovably secured to the machine frame at the junction of the front transverse member and a rearwardly extending frame member; a second plate immovably secured on one end of the second transverse member and aligned with said i rst plate; a third plate slidably mounted on the mounting said bevel gear on the underside of f second transverse member on the end opposite the second plate; a fourth plate slidably mounted on the front transverse member at the end opposite said first plate; means effective to adjust said second transverse frame member toward and away from the front transverse member; means effective to slide the third and fourth plates together toward the second and rst plates; guide members mounted on the upper surface of the second, third and fourth plates; pressure applying members slidably mounted on said guide members; pressure iiuid cylinder and piston means mounted on the plates to supply power to said pressure applying means; and a valve effective to admit pressure fluid simultaneously to 155 tween' the pistbns of said ebmpressed air `cylinders andf'certain of said pressure applying' means in order to increase the power ei'er'ted by said means on the portion of the frame with which they are engaged'.

15. A squarin'g and nailing machine for frames and the like, comprising: a front-y transverse frame member and spaced frame members extending rearward from, and rigidly secured to, said front transverse member; a second transverse frame' member 'sli'dably mounted o`n the rearwardly extending frame members; a first plateimm'ovably secured to the machine'fr'aine at the junction of the front transverse member and a-rear'wardly 'extending frame member; a second plate immovably secured on one end of the second transverse member and aligned with said rst plat'e'; a third plate' slidably mounted on the second transverse member on the' end opposite the second plate; a' fourthv 'plate slidably mounted o'n the front transverse member at the end opposite said rst plate; means effective to adjust said second transverse frame member toward and away from the front transverse member; means effective to slide the third andfourth plates together toward the second and first plates; guide members mounted on the upper surface of the second, third and fourth plates; pressure apply'- ing members slidably mounted on said guide members; pressure fluid cylinder and piston means mounted on the plates tosupply power to said pressure applying means; a valve' effective to admit pressure fluid simultaneouslyto said cylinders and to release pressure fluid from said cylinders; nailing devices mounted on the pres# sure applying means mounted on the second and fourth plates and on a pressure applying means mounted on the' third plate and exerting force directed toward the fourth plate, and a' nailing device mounted on the first plate; fluid pressure cylinder and piston means acting only on said nailing devices; a valve controlling admission of pressure uid to, and release from, said cylinders; and a delay device operated by the fluid pressure actuating the pressure applying members and f effective to` move said` valve to admit pressure te the cylinder and piston means' to operate the nail# ing devices after the operation of the pressure applying members.

16. A squaring and nailing machine for framesv andthe like, comprising: a front, transverse frame member and spaced frame members es# tendingy rearward' from; and rigidly secured to, said' front transverse member; a second' transverse frame member slid'ably mounted"v on the rearwardly extending frame'm'embers; a' 'frst plate iminovabl'y secured' to the machine' frame at the junction of the' front transverse member and a rearwardly extendingv frame member; a` second plate irnmovably'` secured' on one end'of the'second transverse member and' aligned with said' first plate; a third' plate slidably mounted' on the second transverse member on they end opposite the secondvplate'; a fourth plate slide-bly' mounted'on'the'fr'o'nt transverse member'at the endopposite said first plate; means-'effective to adjust saidsecond transverse framemember'toward and away from the frontl transversemember; means effective' to 'slide the third andV fourth' plates' together toward the secondl and rst plates; pressure applying meansv mounted on the second, third andv fourth plates; a" nailing" device base membermounted on each of said plates;- a: nailing' device body member secured to' the base by a-A thiauefstudipassing thr'ougliali'oleL in the muy member int'oja threaded bore in the pas member, and Va threaded stu'd engaged ini a threaded bore int-'he body member and bearing against the top of the base member, whereby by adjustment of said studs the height of thernai'l'- ing device 'may be adjustedl to suit frames of dif'- ferent thickness; means effective to force 'all 'o 'f said pressure applying means at the same time against the sides of the frame.; and means effective to operate said nailing devices. y

1'7. A squaring and nailing machine for frames andthe 1ike,vcomprising: a front, transverse frame member and spaced frame members extending rearward from, and rigidly secured to; said front transverse member; a second transverse frame member slidably mounted on the rearwardly eX- tend'in'g frame members; a first plate immovably secured 'to the machine frame at the junctio'nolf the vfront transversexmember and a rearwardly extending frame member; a second plate immov-Y ably secured on one end of the second transverse member and aligned with said first plate; a' third plate slidably mounted on the second transverse member on the end opposite the second plate; a fourth plate slidably mounted on the front transverse member at the end opposite said rst plate; means effective to adjust said vsecond transverse frame member toward and away from the front transverse member; means effective to slide the third and fourth plates together toward the second and first plates; guide members mounted on the upper surface of the second., third and fourth plates; pressure applying members slidably' mounted on said guide members; pressure fluid cylinder and piston means mounted on thevplates to supply power to said pressure applying means; a valve effective to admit pressure fluid simultaneously to said cylinders and to release pressure iiuid from said cylinders; nailing devices mounted on the pressure applying means mount-- ed on the second and fourth plates and on a pres-4 sure applying means mounted on the third plate and exerting force directed toward the fourth, plate, and a nailing device mounted on the first plate; fluid pressure cylinder and piston' means acting only on said nailing devices; a valve controlling admission of pressure fluid to, and release from, saidl cylinders; a delayed action cylinder and piston connected in the fluid pressure circuit supplying said pressure uid cylinders operating the pressure applying members and controlled by the valve' controlling admission of fluid to said cylinders; a valve in the connection be'- tween the pressure circuit and' said delayed action cylinder effective to reduce the flow of pressure Iiuid thereinto; an electrically operated valve effective to admit pressure fluid to the cylinder and piston means operating the nailing devices, and when not operated; enabling the nailing dei vices to return to initial position; and a switch in the circuit of the electrically operated valve closed by the piston of the delayed action' cylinder, after an interval sufficient to enable cornpletion of movement of the pressure applying devices, to cause actuation of said electrically op'- erated valve; and an operator actuated valve effective when actuated to start an operative cycle of the machine and when released', enabling the pressurev applying and nailing devices to' return to initialV position.

18.A machine asset forthin claim 1'7 and' in' addition comprising: apanel; a first' bar mounted l on the panel'rfor longitudinal slidingmovement and cnne'ctedtothe piston of the delayed action cylinder; a second bar mounted on the panel for longitudinal sliding movement and arranged alongside the first bar, an operative connection between said rst and second bars, and means automatically operative after a predetermined length of travel of said bars, to release said driving connection; resilient means yieldably resisting movement of the second bar by the first bar, an electric switch closed by said second bar while moving under the influence of the rst bar, the second bar being released from the rst bar after operation of the switch, the driving connection between the bars being re-established by return of the piston of the delayed action cylinder to initial position at the termination of an operative cycle of the machine.

SELDEN P. HOVEY.

18 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent: y

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

